Soulful Soul Food

Eligibility: Are you employed by T-Mobile or related to an employee of T-Mobile?

No

Eligibility: Date of Birth

04/10/1998

Where are you located:

State 1: Detroit, MI

State 2: Los Angeles, Ca

Website or social media url(s) (optional):

Instagram: Jiiyastubbs

Date Started

Today!

Project Stage: Select the description below that best applies to your approach.

Idea (hoping to get started in the future)

1. Personal Journey: What’s the story behind why you decided to start this project? NOTE: All applications must include a 1 minute video that answers: “I am stepping up to make change because..."

I was born and raised in the metro Detroit area. I noticed at a young age that access to healthy organic foods was seriously lacking in communities of color due to income inequalities. I moved to Los Angeles im 2017 for college and was greeted by so many health conscious individuals that I became vegan within a few months. It troubled me to think of all the youth that don’t know what’s in the food they are consuming and on top of that don’t have access to better choices. I would like to start a vegan vegetarian food truck that brings healthy great tasting choices to low income communities. On top of that I would like to give back by having volunteers distribute meals to the homeless at the end of everyday. Homelessness I had become an epidemic in both Detroit and LA, and it’s crazy to me how many resources restaurants waste everyday by throwing left overs out.

2. The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve?

There is plenty of research that shows fast food and processed food are the leading causes of health issues plagueing minority communities. A lot of that comes from the basic education surrounding the importance of healthy eating not being there. There’s a misconception that it’s impossible to eat healthy on a budget.

3. Your Solution: How are you planning to solve this problem? Share your specific approach.

Soulful Soul food would not only bring food to the people but also education and resources to keep the knowledge flowing. I would show young people that eating healthy can be easy and affordable.

4. Example: Please walk us through a specific example of what happens when a person or group gets involved with your project.

Individuals that join soulful soul food will be helping come up with and share healthy vegan and vegetarian recipes. They will be teaching about the importance of curing processed food from ones diet, and also giving back to the community by providing food consistently to the homeless.

5. The X Factor: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there?

It’s hard for non-profits that give and give to stay afloat sometimes. With the business model where we actually are a fully operating food truck we will have the income and revenue to continue to give back to the community’. There is a real call for companies and businesses to do ethical business these days by mellinials. This generation is not only health councious we are conscious in general and I think a lot of people will respond to Soulful Soul food well because of that. There are vegan options in most places if you look but we would be bringing it to people who usually wouldn’t look.

6. Impact: How has your project made a difference so far?

Veganism is a passion of my. On a small scale I’ve convinced a lot of my closest friends to go vegan and family members to cut out meat. I do believe that if people really knew what they were eating they would make better choices. I would like to reach as many people as possible.

7. What’s Next: What are your ideas for taking your project to the next level?

There are so many influencers in Los Angeles that preach veganism and vegetarian lifestyles. I would like to partner with young people who have platforms already in the health community to make the message more inclusive. We could bring on social media influencers to sort or be the voice and get the message out to as many people as possible.

8. Future Support: What are the resources needed to make your vision a reality?

I need start-up money to purchase the food trucks of course. I could work with family to get permits and liscensing because my parents are small business owners themselves. I have friends in Los Angeles that do social media like I said so I think we would really just have to hit the streets and do the dang thing.

9. Finances: If applicable, have you mobilized any of the following resources so far?

Friend support

Family support

10. Ripple Effect: Please share some ideas of how you could partner with other changemakers or involve other young people as leaders in making a difference.

I would love to take Soulful Soulfood to schools if possible and do educational sort of tedtalks about nutrition. Social media is probably the biggest way to really connect with youth right now so I would dedicate a lot of time to getting the presence of the business out there. Even possibly make an app to make it more accessible. I want to inspire kids to nourish themselves and their souls from inside out. That starts with not only healthy eating but getting involved with the community service part of things. That’s really why I want to start in Los Angeles the resources and education is there I just feel that it’s kept within a tight knit part of LA. Veganism should be a lifestyle that anyone can have the ability to explore.

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